HELP! Hood will not open.

[Full_Throttle]

This is very frustrating. I had the latch mechanism off so I could maneuver the AC condenser around. Like a fool, I didn't check to see if it would un-latch once I put it all back together. Now my hood will not open. I have the bumper off and the grill off, but I still cannot figure out how to get the latch to release. When I pull the lever, it doesn't have any resistance, and nothing clicks up front. I have tried every trick I know. You can't even un-bold the hood "latch" from the hood...it is made onto the hood. I am at my wits end.

This is insanely aggravating.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

I just went out and tried to open the hood on my '97 by reaching up from under the bumper... without removing the grille, or bumper.

I grabbed the black hood release cable, pinched it between my fingers and pulled it downward. Hood open.

That being said, when I looked at my hood release cable, it appears that the little plastic snap on the terminal end of the cable that keeps it attached to the latch mechanism on the radiator support has broken off at some point. I'm not sure if that will make a difference or not.

 

[Full_Throttle]

Well, After reading a bit and looking on a few forums I was able to find pics of what it looked like and then was able to get it to pop open. My cable was hidden very good and it took me a while to find it. When I put it back together originally, the cable had come out of its holder, making it useless. Thanks BigFishAllday

 

[Dous]

It's often the simple things that can make life a living hell

 

[Maritimer]

Glad you got it open. Great thread, as I could see this happening to me someday.